SU Voice - Alumni Blog Post

Reflections from Beth Kreitl, Executive Director, SU Career Services

Purpose. What does it mean to live a life of purpose? Inspired by the gifted presenters at today's TEDx event, hosted by Seattle University, I have been contemplating my current answer to this question. The question itself invites us to go deeper. What gives us a sense of purpose? Which then leads us to go even deeper. What is purpose? I learned today that the Latin derivative "pur" means fire. Powerful. What lights your fire? What makes you burn with passion? I didn't have an immediate response to the question. But then we were invited to go a little further. If you can't identify your fire, then can you identify your sparks? Could we notice and be attentive to those? Could we search for the places in our lives at work, home, outdoors, and in community where we feel energized? What are the activities in which we lose all sense of time? Reflection is a core value of the Ignation educational tradition, and as members of Seattle U's alumni association, we invite you to continue that reflective process. Reflection must be balanced by action, so if you have read this blog, and want to dive more deeply into both reflection and action in seeking to answer this powerful question about what gives your life a sense of purpose, you may want to consider participating in the upcoming 4-week workshop series entitled: "Jumpstart Your Career."

Participants in the winter workshop series found the program to offer a space to reflect, connect and gain valuable tools for every individual's unique place along their career path. When asked to comment on the most recent series, Career Coach Elizabeth Atcheson, who is also scheduled to lead the upcoming series, stated the following: "In my work as a career coach, I give dozens of workshops every year - to all ages and all stages. My winter series with Seattle University alumni was one of the best group experiences in my memory. Why?

Sharing: The participants engaged fully, knowing that all exchanges would be held in confidence, and offered lots of ideas and connections to each other.

Work: The participants (all SU alumni) buckled down and did the work they were asked to do.

Humor: We were able to laugh at ourselves and each other. Looking for a job can be daunting and depressing, so a little bit of humor goes a long way.

Learning: During the course of the 4 evenings, a tremendous amount of material was presented and digested. Participants grew accordingly so that by the last session, their knowledge of "how to look for a job" was much more nuanced and realistic.

Community: We developed a sense of connection to the greater Seattle University community and established some respectful and substantive ways to build on that deep connection."